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What is Bacterial Vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a mild infection in the vagina. It develops when there’s an imbalance between the “good” bacteria in the vagina that are helpful and the “bad” bacteria that can cause problems. Bacterial vaginosis may cause pain, itching, and bad-smelling discharge. But most girls …

Definition Barrett’s is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged. This damage occurs when parts of the esophageal lining are repeatedly exposed to stomach acid, and are replaced by tissue that is similar to what is found in the intestine. Barrett’s esophagus can lead to Esophageal …

Description A brain aneurysm also referred to as a cerebral aneurysm or an intracranial aneurysm (IA), is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a brain artery very much like a thin balloon or weak spot on an inner tube. Over time, the blood flow within the artery pounds …

Definition Hydrosalpinx is the blockage of a woman’s fallopian tube caused by a fluid buildup and dilation of the tube at its end. Most often it occurs at the fimbrial end of the tube next to the ovary, but it can also occur at the other end of the tube …

Definition Bicornate uterus (also called heart-shaped uterus), is a congenital (present at birth) condition where the uterus has two cavities (spaces) instead of one large cavity. Most women with this condition don’t need surgery to repair it. A bicornuate uterus consists of two symmetric uterine horns unified by caudal fusion. …

Definition Body dysmorphia is a chronic mental illness in which individuals obsess over some perceived flaw in their appearance. This obsession typically takes over the person’s life to the point where they are unwilling to be seen in public and may take drastic and dangerous actions in an attempt to …

Definition Bull’s eye maculopathy describes a number of different conditions in which there is a ring of pale-looking damage around a darker area of the macula. The macula can often appear to have circular bands of different shades of pink and orange. Age of onset and severity of sight loss …

Introduction A birth defect is a problem that occurs when a baby is developing in utero (in the womb). Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body (e.g., heart, brain, foot). They may affect how the body looks, works, …

Definition Bunions are the bony bump that is enlarged in the joints at the base of the big toe. This enlargement is due to the misalignment of the bone joint and it leads to the stretching of tendons and ligaments which is present around the big toe joints. This caused …

Introduction Binge eating is an overeating disorder in which an individual eats a large amount of food in a discrete period time and feel uncontrollable over the amount of eating. Unlike Bulimia nervosa, people with BED are not having a purging, fasting, and excessive exercise. As a result of these …

Definition The Bartholin glands are located at either side of the opening of the vagina. When these glands are normal it can’t be seen or felt. These glands produce fluid which can act as lubrication of the vagina. Sometimes the fluids from the Bartholin glands get blocked and causes swelling …

Definition Enuresis is the clinical term for bedwetting. It is the involuntary urination during sleep after the age four or five when a person should be able to control the bladder. Infants and children’s will do unintentional urination, it is more normal for them. Many children’s achieve daytime control but …

Definition Babesia is a tiny parasite that infects your red blood cells. Infection with Babesia is called babesiosis. The parasitic infection is usually transmitted by a tick bite. Babesiosis often occurs at the same time as Lyme disease. The tick that carries the Lyme bacteria can also be infected with …

Definition Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and sometimes by strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. Botulism is caused by botulinum toxin, a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a few strains of C. …

What is Shigellosis (Bacillary Dysentery)? Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella that causes bacterial dysentery. These bacterium cause disease by penetrating the lining of the large intestine, causing swelling and sores. This causes diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps 1-2 days after initial exposure. …

Definition Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that result when the blood cannot clot properly. In normal clotting, platelets, a type of blood cell, stick together and form a plug at the site of an injured blood vessel. Proteins in the blood called clotting factors then interact to form …

Introduction Biotin deficiency is a rare nutritional disease which can become serious when not properly treated. Vitamin B7 is available in several food sources. Intestinal fauna synthesizes fair amounts of this nutrient. Low circulating levels of the vitamin B7 occurs in certain specific health conditions. Biotin inadequacy can result in …

Definition Folliculitis barbae is the medical term for a common condition called barber’s itch; this condition is an infectious skin disease which arises on the bearded facial areas of people who are unlucky enough to contract the disease. The disease develops and the first signs of the condition are the …

What is Beriberi? Beriberi is a syndrome characterized by a group of symptoms exhibited by people who are deficient in Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Therefore, it usually afflicts malnourished individuals’ particularly in underdeveloped countries. Two kinds of beriberi are well known. Wet beriberi leads to cardiovascular dysfunction while …

Introduction Bronchiectasis is an abnormal, chronic enlargement of the bronchi, the passageways from the trachea to the alveoli that are the air-exchanging parts of the lungs. Bronchiectasis generally occurs as a result of infection, although noninfectious factors may contribute to the development of this condition. Accompanying the enlargement of the …